. >>> a key battleground state, virginia. the gop nominee mitt romney trailing president obama by 3% to 7%. another pivotal state, iowa is drawing attention today. because it is the first of the so-called battleground states to begin early voting. strategists and researchers project that more than one in three voters will cast their ballots before election day. and iowa officials say that the requests are already up 30%. over 2008. >> and it gets really interesting now. the first debate between the two is next wednesday evening. >> for some insight into the stakes, let's bring in nbc bay area political analyst. and both the candidates have been downplaying how they'll do in these debates but how much is riding on these. >> gosh, about everything. with less than six weeks to go, upwards of 60 million people will be watching. and for the 7% undecided voters and maybe 10% who would consider their minds one way or the other. the debates in all likelihood will make the difference. the debates sure matter in 2008. going in, obama a